I have two of my own. And they’re wonderful. I couldn’t imagine my life without them.

And if you’ve been a reader of my brain-dumps for a while, you’ll know that I often refer to my two puppies, metaphorically.

It makes perfect sense. Dogs are the perfect example of what it’s like to be in alignment. Connected to Source. Floating at the top of the lake (so to speak).

They’re present. Always completely in the moment. No worries about what’s ahead, or regrets from the past. And they ALWAYS wake up happy and enthusiastic.

But mostly, they epitomize UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.

And THAT is their gift to us.

Because it’s more than just their calming presence. Way more.

When we park whatever stuff we’re caught up in, and take a moment to scratch, tickle or *ear-noogy our pets, our mood/vibration/feelings immediately improve. Without even trying.

And why?

Because engaging with a furry friend unwittingly brings us into our own “present”. They demand our full attention and very seldom will they settle for less.

When we focus completely on that moment of shared harmony, when we fully engage in that sharing of love, it oozes a-w-e-s-o-m-e-n-e-s-s.

No, they can’t pet us in return, but just BEING there, gazing adoringly at us, imploring us to reach over and engage, is their way of flowing good vibes. To remind us of what we’re capable of. How much love we have to share.

So, remember. The next time your fabulous furry friend demands some attention, it’s NOT because they NEED anything from you.

Rather, they’re doing you a HUGE favour.

They’re simply trying to raise your vibration. By forcing you to be present. Helping you to open the flow of your own bottomless pool of love.

Because it’s THERE that we find EASE. INSPIRATION. And all the GOOD stuff.

]]>https://doggielamabooks.com/unconditional-love-on-tap-whod-refuse-that-by-jacky-exton/feed/0Being Darcihttps://doggielamabooks.com/being-darci/
https://doggielamabooks.com/being-darci/#commentsMon, 19 Mar 2018 03:07:50 +0000https://doggielamabooks.com/?p=829Most families have one member who is considered the leader, the authority figure or some general power-player of the clan. Meet the Head Honcho at our house. (See photo above)

Don’t let those gentle dark eyes fool you. Don’t mistake the soft mop of fur as a carefree approach to life. Don’t think that the sweet looking face is only looking for a snuggle or a game of catch (although those are definitely desired). This little dog is a ten pound power-house of determination and authority. Strong. Capable. Opinionated.

Some leaders cultivate their skills over years; others are born with a commanding spirit. Darci falls into both categories.

She stood apart from others in her litter, overseeing her siblings (and her mother) from a vantage point away from the melee of pee, poop and general chaos. She could deliver a stern look that would wilt any dog or human. While she initiated those skills in her dealings with her birth-pack, she transferred them quickly to us.

As we began our exit from the first visit with her at age 4 weeks (she would not be able to come live with us till she had reached 8 weeks), her disapproval at being left behind was evident and palpable. She glared through the puppy pen as we got in the car. She pushed against the wire fencing to release her from her constraints as we started the engine. No whimpering, no quivering from this young pup. She furrowed her brows, pushed her chest out in a defiant stance and pulled the beginnings of a disapproving bark from her body as we backed out of the driveway. This little pupster was NOT pleased that her new family was leaving.

Initially we had concerns that she might be frightened of the dog we had waiting at home. Her new brother was one hundred thirty pounds of Chow, Rottweiler and German shepherd. Many repair men had refused to set foot in our home until The Beast had been moved to the backyard. Truth be told, he was a gentle giant but his intimidating looks offered a level of home security that we enjoyed.

Once Darci arrived at her new home, we held our breath as we placed the 8 week old, two pound pup onto our kitchen tile floor and introduced her to her brother Angus. But we should have known better. Those tiny paws hit the floor and marched forward with confidence (and a bit of swagger) to touch noses with the towering Angus. In fact, it was Angus’s massive paws that retreated as Darci marched forward and moved in for a snuggle.

Perhaps her tiny stature informs her imperious nature. The French certainly understand this Napoleonic phenomenon. But she is just as comfortable living up to her outward image: sweet and playful, full of kisses and gentleness.

Yet we have learned in the last six years that beneath the sweetness there flows a steely determination. And we all fall into step with the latest edict from The General. In fact, it would not take long before we were to learn how Darci utilizes those skills in a unique and much needed way.

But that is another story, for another day.

]]>https://doggielamabooks.com/being-darci/feed/1Being Connectedhttps://doggielamabooks.com/being-connected/
https://doggielamabooks.com/being-connected/#respondMon, 26 Feb 2018 05:20:58 +0000https://doggielamabooks.com/?p=805A dear friend sent me a beautiful quote this morning: “When two givers indulge in a connection, it’s like magic. It’s alchemy. I water you, you water me. We never drain each other, we just grow.”

There are several themes running through the book Travels with the Doggie Lama. One is Soulmates. Plural.

The friend that sent me that quote is a soulmate of mine. The Doggie Lama falls into that category, too. Most of the important people in my life are soulmates. They sure make life richer, happier, and even magical. The quote above sums up so much of what I share in the story of life with Keisha. She was a wild-child, she caused a lot of mayhem around her and she was extremely opinionated. But she taught me more about connection, about magic, about alchemy and about growth than any of the hundreds of self-help books that line my shelves. Maybe even more then the countless seminars I’ve attended seeking to enrich the quality of my life.

My four-legged soulmate made me laugh, made me cry, opened my heart and brought out a side of me that was hidden from the world.

Even from myself.

Have you kissed your soulmate today? Or taken them for a walk? Or given them a hug?

Well, actually my family had a dog when I was about ten years old but he was an outside dog. He also had a penchant for hunting birds, roaming the neighborhood and seeking out the affections of female dogs with loose morals. So he wasn’t really home much and we weren’t able to forge much of a relationship.

I had always wanted a dog that could be my constant companion, my best friend. Kind of like Dorothy and Toto: if I got picked up by a tornado and deposited into some alternate universe my dog would be right there with me, in a cute little basket.

Keisha came into my life when I was twenty six years old and living alone near downtown Houston. Fantasies of being Dorothy and Toto had long since passed and I invited Keisha into my life for one purpose: home protection.

My good friend at the time owned a beautiful Chow Chow named Chandon. He was regal, well-behaved and seemed to take little care other than daily walks and brushing. He was easy to be around and I always felt safe in his presence.

I wanted a dog just like him.

Nothing prepared me for the four-legged companion that walked through my door. Keisha was a wild-child; she lived life one adventure after another. Chaos seemed to be the constant in our lives.

Her puppyhood was fraught with destruction (chewing, tearing, biting, shredding) and constant escape. Her spirit longed for freedom and she relished a good game of “Catch me if you can”. At times I wondered if we would both survive, physically and monetarily. And any thought of home-protection escaped with her jaunts beyond the front door.

Chaos aside, she could be charming, beguiling even. She usually had ulterior motives (like wanting the bag of donuts sitting on the kitchen counter) but her twinkling eyes, ear to ear smile and wagging tail were hard to resist.

A few years ago my husband bought me a book entitled “Your Dog Is Your Mirror” by Kevin Behan. It’s an intriguing look at the theory our dogs mirror our own emotional states.

Good grief, I thought! What in the world did that say about me with regards to Keisha’s drama, mayhem and manipulating charms? Oh my.

I didn’t think I fell into any of those categories that might describe my furry friend. In fact I’m most often described as quiet, reserved, cautious and introverted.

Keisha made friends with everyone, never passed up an opportunity for a little (or a lot) of self-indulgence and was notoriously uncooperative at the vets and the groomers. She often walked just-this-side-of-the-law in many instances, her flagrant disregard for leash laws and stealing things she wanted forged relationships with the local police. But she usually ended up riding shotgun in the squad car while the officer laughed and petted her.

She was effusive with her affection and had a healthy self-esteem. She often would pose just-so as if to say “Feast upon my beauty”.

She and I really were a study in opposites.

But maybe there was something to what that book said. Maybe Keisha WAS my mirror in some ways.

Maybe she mirrored back to me the things I WISHED I could be: confident, indulgent, and not afraid to ask for what I wanted.

Yes, I would love to bite the dentist and his assistant whenever they got within six inches of my teeth.

I bet it would be fun to sidle up next to a handsome guy and say, “Can I have a bite of your dinner? Chicken is my favorite, you know. And maybe I could sit on your lap, too”

How exciting to find the bag of expensive cookies from the French bakery, hidden for safe-keeping, and eat the entire bag in one sitting. And then deny that I had anything to do with it.

It would be fun to break some rules and then flirt my way out of any consequences.

How nice it would be to get so excited about something that I peed right then and there. And I didn’t care one dribble.

Oh what a life to be able to eat anything I wanted, roll around in the dirt, wear nothing but a red collar and still feel like I’m the most beautiful thing on the earth.

I would love to exude joy that was so contagious it made anyone around me smile and want to pet me.

Maybe Keisha mirrored the life that I secretly wanted.

All those hidden desires found expression in my best friend. And oh what fun we had together!